About The Author: Travis Baugh is a Digital Brand Marketing Manager for Bryant, where he creates clear, helpful content to guide homeowners through heating, cooling, and indoor air quality decisions. His goal is to empower readers with the knowledge they need to choose the right comfort solutions for their home—confidently and comfortably.
Your Guide To Finding The Best Air Conditioner for Your Home
By Travis Baugh
The best air conditioner for your home is one that is correctly sized for your space, balances energy efficiency (SEER2) with your budget, and offers the specific features you need, such as advanced humidity control or smart home integration. Top-rated systems often feature innovative variable-speed compressors to ensure consistent long-term comfort and whisper-quiet operation.
How do I choose the right air conditioner?
Choosing the right AC involves evaluating seven key factors: energy efficiency ratings (SEER2/EER2), environmental impact, the specific type of unit needed (Central vs. Ductless), noise levels, humidity control capabilities, smart home features, and comprehensive warranty coverage.
At Bryant, our innovative solutions are centered on our customers’ needs. We are committed to providing air conditioners that meet these diverse demands, offering superior efficiency, significant energy savings, and whisper-quiet operation to enhance your everyday home comfort.
Seven Factors To Choose the Best Air Conditioner For Your Home
Selecting the best air conditioner involves a careful balance of several important considerations to ensure you are investing in reliable, long-term comfort.
David Fowler, owner of Family Heating and Air in Pensacola, Florida, highlights several key factors to consider when selecting the best air conditioner for your home.
“One of the most important things is it's the correct size for the home,” Fowler said. “Another is how long you are going to live in the home; if it's short-term, you may not invest as much as you would if you were staying in the home long-term. Additionally, think about the overall comfort level expected of the home: do you want the unit to remove humidity
By better understanding these seven foundational factors, you can make an informed decision and confidently choose the best air conditioner tailored to your specific needs.
1. How Do I Know If An AC Is Energy Efficient?
You can determine an air conditioner's energy efficiency by checking its SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and EER2 (Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. A higher SEER2 rating indicates better efficiency over a typical cooling season, while a higher EER2 shows robust efficiency during peak heat conditions (95°F).
"EER2 is measured under peak load instead of a seasonal load," Fowler said. "That way, homeowners know when it's really hot outside that their unit is going to maintain the efficiency that it was designed to maintain."
Our commitment to energy efficiency extends well beyond standard SEER2 and EER2 ratings. Our best air conditioners incorporate advanced variable-speed compressors, which intelligently adjust cooling output based on your home's specific, real-time needs. This cutting-edge technology not only pays for itself through improved energy efficiency, but it also elevates your comfort by maintaining a perfectly consistent indoor temperature.
2. What Is The Environmental Impact of Modern Air Conditioners?
Bryant air conditioners utilize environmentally-friendly Puron Advance™ refrigerant. Puron Advance ™ is a non-ozone depleting AC refrigerant with a low global warming potential, contributing to a greener environment. Choosing a Bryant air conditioner allows you to enjoy advanced energy-saving technologies while minimizing your environmental footprint.
3. What Are The Different Types of AC Units Available?
The three main types of residential air conditioners are central air conditioning for whole-home cooling, ductless mini-splits for room-specific cooling, and packaged units for homes with limited indoor space. The ideal type of air conditioner depends entirely on your home's existing infrastructure and cooling requirements.
- Central Air Conditioning: Central air conditioning cools an entire home using an outdoor unit and an indoor unit connected by ductwork. It is the standard for consistent, whole-home comfort. They come in four common sizes: 2 ton, 3 ton, 4 ton, and 5 ton.
- Ductless Mini Split Systems: Ductless mini split systemsfeature an outdoor compressor and indoor handling units mounted on walls or ceilings. They offer flexible, highly energy-efficient zoning for homes without ducts. Explore wall AC and garage AC unit options
- Packaged Air Conditioners: Packaged units combine all components into a single outdoor unit. They are efficient space-savers, making them perfect for homes with limited indoor space for HVAC equipment.
4. How loud should an air conditioner be?
The best air conditioners operate as quiet as a whisper, often achieving sound levels as low as 51 decibels (comparable to a quiet conversation). When shopping, look for units built with sound blankets and variable-speed technology to ensure the quietest performance possible.
All Evolution™ Series air conditioners feature an AeroQuiet™ System II design to ensure whisper-quiet operation. Evolution Series split AC units have a soft start and smooth ramp-up, allowing you to relax undisturbed.
“Noise level can be a concern depending on where the outdoor air conditioner is located," Mike Lea, co-owner of Lea Heating & Air Conditioning in East Dundee, IL said. "A lot of customers have air conditioners that sit outside their bedroom windows, so they’re looking for lower noise levels."
5. Does My Air Conditioner Need Humidity Control?
Yes, effective humidity control is a crucial feature for maintaining optimal indoor comfort and improving the air you breathe. Bryant Evolution™ Series air conditioners offer extreme humidity control and can uniquely remove up to 400% more moisture than standard air conditioning systems.1 By maintaining optimal humidity levels, Bryant Evolution™ units create a significantly more comfortable living environment, which is especially important for homeowners living in regions with high seasonal moisture levels.
6. What smart features should I look for in an AC?
When evaluating smart systems, look for seamless Wi-Fi connectivity, remote scheduling via smartphone apps, and integration with voice assistants like Alexa. These innovative features optimize your energy usage and ensure your home is perfectly comfortable before you even walk through the door.
With the Bryant SmartHome App, you can easily control your Bryant Evolution System from anywhere. Whether at work or on vacation, you can adjust the temperature, fan speed, and mode settings. Many Bryant air conditioners also integrate cleanly with popular smart home platforms, offering effortless voice command capabilities that put you fully in control.
7. What Type of Warranty and Customer Support Should I Expect?
A reliable air conditioner should come with a strong, comprehensive warranty to protect your long-term investment and ensure peace of mind. All Bryant air conditioners come with a 10-year AC parts limited warranty upon timely registration.
Additionally, Bryant EvolutionTM series air conditioners come with a Red ShieldTM 10-year unit replacement warranty if registered within 90 days of AC installation.2 Should a major component like the compressor, evaporator coil or heat exchanger fail due to defect during this applicable time-period, a one-time AC replacement with a comparable Bryant unit will be provided.
Work With A Bryant Dealer To Find The Best Air Conditioner For Your Home
Bryant air conditioners are renowned for their superior performance, durable reliability, and forward-thinking design. With advanced cooling technology and energy-efficient features, Bryant air conditioners provide optimal comfort while actively helping you save on monthly cooling costs.
Connect with your local Bryant dealer to determine the best air conditioner for your home.
FAQs
A good SEER2 rating typically starts at 13.4 in the North and 14.3 in the South, but high-efficiency models can reach ratings over 20. Higher ratings generally mean lower energy bills and better long-term savings.
Yes, variable-speed AC units are worth it for homeowners seeking better humidity control, quieter operation, and higher energy efficiency. They run longer at lower speeds to maintain a consistent temperature rather than cycling on and off frequently.
With proper maintenance, a modern central air conditioner typically lasts 15 to 20 years. Bryant supports this longevity with strong warranty options, including 10-year parts limited warranties upon timely registration.
Yes, investing in advanced HVAC technology can be worth it as high energy efficiency can help pay for itself over time. While the initial upfront cost may be higher, the opportunity for a reduction in monthly cooling bills and improved long-term comfort can make it a highly worthwhile investment.
Learn More About Air Conditioners
- Learn about how does air conditioning work
- Get in the know on air conditioning service
- Understand what size air conditioner you need
- Find out how long do AC units last?
- Discover the difference in a heat pump vs air conditioner
- Find out what temperature to set air conditioner in summer
1 Based on Bryant testing under simulated “worst case” conditions, as compared to a single-stage 13.0 SEER unit.
2Unit replacement limited warranty is not available to subsequent owners. The limited warranty period is five years if not registered within 90 days except in jurisdictions where warranty benefits cannot be conditioned on registration will automatically receive a 10-year unit replacement limited warranty. See limited warranty certificate at Bryant.com for complete details and restrictions.
